The petition of William Couper of Hereford (All Saints Parish), Herefordshire, 4 July 1680
To the right Worshipfull John Cooke Esq[ui]r[e] Mayor of this Cittie And to the right Worshipfull Justices of the peace now att this quarter sessions
The humble peticion of William Couper Labourer in the parrish of All S[ain]ts beeinge A verie poore man And aboute the age of sixtie and eyght yeares past wherewith hee is not able to gett his owne Livinge
Now yowre poore peticioner doe humbly entreate yowre Worships that yow will bee pleased of yowre goodnes & charitie to grante him some reliefe in the parrish to help to relieve him now in his necessitie and want: for hee was A souldier vnder the Comand of Captaine Phillips: for Kinge Charles the first: And furthermore yowre poore peticioner is unpaid to his Landlord Half a yeares rent beeinge threatned everie day to bee throwne owt of doores & hee had formerly 4 s. A yeare owt of the toulesend w[hi]ch was 2 s. at Chrismas and 2 s. att Whitsontide w[hi]ch is Lately taken awaie from him: w[hi]ch is A greate Loss to yowre poore peticioner: And furthermore hee was promised A poore house in the aforesaid parrish but hee is Lately deprived of that: and another person sett into the howse: and furthermore yowre poore peticioners sight doe faile him verie much and his Laboure is allmost done: Thus yowre poore peticioner doe humbly entreate yowre Worships to take him into youre Consideracions and to grant him some reliefe now in his necessitie: And hee will ever praie for yowre
Worship healthes Long to Continue.